Method and apparatus for implanting a modular femoral hip

ABSTRACT

A method of implanting a prosthetic component is disclosed that includes attaching a guide rod to the prosthetic component, removably coupling the guide rod to a shaft extending from a handle, and positioning the prosthetic component in an anatomical feature. The method also includes impacting an impaction portion of the handle and uncoupling the guide rod from the shaft, leaving the guide rod attached to the prosthetic component. The method further includes positioning a reamer over the guide rod to create a reamed opening in the anatomical feature.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/718,018, filed on Mar. 5, 2010. This application is related to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/718,230, filed on Mar. 5, 2010; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/718,023, filed on Mar. 5, 2010; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/718,026, filed Mar. 5, 2010; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/718,027, filed on Mar. 5, 2010; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/718,031, filed on Mar. 5, 2010. The disclosuresof each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The following relates to an insertion tool, and more specifically,relates to an insertion system for a modular femoral revision procedure.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and does not constitute prior art.

Prosthetic joints can reduce pain due to arthritis, deterioration,deformation, and the like. Prosthetic hip joints often include a femoralcomponent that is fixed to the patient's femur and an acetabular cupthat is fixed within the patient's pelvis. More specifically, thefemoral component can include a distal stem that extends into thepatient's resected femur and a proximal body having a rounded head thatis received within the acetabular cup. The head can articulate withinthe cup so as to moveably couple the femoral component within theacetabular cup.

Typically, the distal stem is first implanted in the intramedullarycanal of the femur, and then a guide rod is separately attached to thedistal stem. A reamer is then slid over the guide rod to partially reama proximal portion of the femur, thereby creating a reamed opening thatreceives the proximal body. The guide rod ensures that the reamer is inthe proper orientation such that the resultant reamed opening matchesthe geometry of the femoral component of the prosthetic joint. Thisensures that the femoral component properly fits within and fixes to thefemur.

Although insertion systems have been adequate for their intendedpurposes, these systems can be improved. For instance, insertionprocesses can be time consuming and inconvenient, especially if multiplesteps are needed for inserting components of the prosthetic joint andcomponents of the insertion system.

SUMMARY

An insertion system for implanting a prosthetic component is disclosedand includes a handle, a shaft, and a guide rod. The handle includes animpaction portion. The shaft extends from and is fixed to the handle.The guide rod is removably coupled to the shaft and includes a proximalend adapted to be rotationally fixed within the impaction portion and adistal end adapted to attach to the prosthetic component.

In another aspect, an insertion system is disclosed and includes ahandle, a shaft, a guide rod, and a coupling mechanism. The handleincludes an impaction portion. The shaft extends from and is fixed tothe handle. The guide rod includes a proximal end adapted to berotationally fixed within the impaction portion and a distal end adaptedto attach to the prosthetic component. The coupling mechanism removablycouples the guide rod to the shaft. The guide rod axially receives areamer upon removing the guide rod from the shaft.

A method of implanting a prosthetic component is disclosed that includesattaching a guide rod to the prosthetic component, removably couplingthe guide rod to a shaft extending from a handle, and positioning theprosthetic component in an anatomical feature. The method also includesimpacting an impaction portion of the handle and uncoupling the guiderod from the shaft, leaving the guide rod attached to the prostheticcomponent. The method further includes positioning a reamer over theguide rod to create a reamed opening in the anatomical feature.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an insertionsystem according to various teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the insertion system of FIG. 1,which includes an inserter assembly and a guide rod;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the insertion system of FIG. 1 taken alongthe line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the insertion system of FIG. 1 taken alongthe line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a reaming system including the guide rod ofFIG. 1 attached to a distal stem and a reamer slid over the guide rod;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the reaming system of FIG. 5 taken alongthe line 6-6;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the reamer of FIG. 6 taken along the line6A-6A;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the insertion system of FIG. 1 shown during aninsertion procedure;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the reaming system of FIG. 5 shown during areaming procedure; and

FIG. 9 is a sectioned isometric view of a proximal body attached to thedistal stem of FIG. 1 and an acetabular cup that is fixed within apelvis.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.Moreover, while the insertion and reaming systems described herein aredescribed in relation to reaming an intramedullary (IM) canal of afemur, these systems can be used in any other area of a patient as well.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 through 4, an insertion system 10 isillustrated according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The insertion system 10 can extend along a longitudinal axisx and include an inserter assembly 12 and a guide rod 14. The inserterassembly 12 can include an impaction member 16, a handle 18, a shaft 20,and a coupling mechanism 21.

The impaction member 16 can be machined out of metal and can include aproximal end 22 and a distal end 24. The impaction member 16 can furtherinclude a rounded impaction portion 26 adjacent to the proximal end 22and a cylindrical portion 28 adjacent to the distal end 24. The roundedimpaction portion 26 can include a hemispherical surface 30 at theproximal end 22 and flat annular surface 32 opposite the hemisphericalsurface 30. The cylindrical portion 28 can extend from the roundedimpaction portion 26 to the distal end 24. The cylindrical portion 28can define an axially extending hole 33 that extends partially throughthe cylindrical portion 28. The hole 33 can define an inner cylindricalsurface 34 and an inner hex surface 35.

The handle 18 can be molded from silicone and can include a proximal end36 and a distal end 38. The handle 18 can further include ellipticalgrooves 40 extending along the longitudinal axis x and a hole 41extending axially through the handle 18 from the proximal end 36 to thedistal end 38. The hole 41 can define an inner cylindrical surface 42within the handle 18.

A shaft 20 can be machined from metal and can include a proximal end 44and a distal end 46. The shaft 20 can further include a first diameterportion 48 adjacent to the proximal end 44 and a second diameter portion50 adjacent to the distal end 46. The first diameter portion 48 caninclude a flat annular surface or rim 51 at the proximal end 44 andouter cylindrical surfaces 52, 54 extending from the flat annularsurface 51 toward the distal end 46 and separated by a washer 56. Thewasher 56 can be machined integrally with the shaft 20 or can bemachined separate from the shaft 20 and later affixed to the shaft 20through any suitable means such as welding. The washer 56 can include aflat annular surface or rim 58 facing the proximal end 44 and flatannular surface 60 facing the distal end 46. The first diameter portion48 can further include a flat annular surface or rim 61 at thetransition from the first diameter portion 48 to the second diameterportion 50.

The second diameter portion 50 can include an outer cylindrical surface62 having holes 64 and slots 66 extending transversely through thesecond diameter portion 50. The holes 64 can be offset 90 degrees fromthe slots 66. The second diameter portion 50 can also include grooves 67having numbered indicia 68.

The shaft 20 can also define a hole 69 that extends axially from theproximal end 44 to the distal end 46 and defines an inner cylindricalsurface 70. The shaft 20 can further include a flat annular surface orrim 71 at the distal end 46 and a striker plate 72. The striker plate 72can abut the flat annular surface 60 of the washer 56 and include a flatelliptical surface 74 that faces the proximal end 44 of the shaft 20 anda flat elliptical surface 76 that faces the distal end 46 of the shaft20. The striker plate 72 can further include a hole 78 that extends fromthe flat elliptical surface 74 to the flat elliptical surface 76. Thestriker plate 72 can be machined separate from the shaft 20 and affixedto the shaft 20 through any suitable means such as welding.

The coupling mechanism 21 can include a spring 80 and a sleeve 82. Thesleeve 82 can include an axial hole 83 extending longitudinally throughthe sleeve 82 and a hole 84 extending transversely through the sleeve82. The hole 83 can define an inner cylindrical surface 86 and an innertapered surface 88. The sleeve 82 can further include holes 90 thatextend transversely through the sleeve 82 and are offset by 180 degreesfrom each other. The coupling mechanism 21 can further include pins orset screws 92 that are received in the holes 90 of the sleeve 82 andball bearings 94 that are captured between the inner tapered surface 88and the holes 64 in the shaft 20.

Upon assembly of the inserter assembly 12, the cylindrical portion 28 ofthe impaction member 16 can be inserted into the hole 69 of the shaft20. The impaction member 16 can be welded to the shaft 20 at theinterface between the flat annular surface 32 of the impaction member 16and the flat annular surface 51 of the shaft 20. The handle 18 can bemolded over the outer cylindrical surface 52 such that the handle 18extends from the flat annular surface 32 of the impaction member 16 tothe flat annular surface 58 of the washer 56. The striker plate 72 canbe slid over the outer cylindrical surface 54 of the shaft 20 and theflat elliptical surface 76 of the striker plate 72 can be welded to theouter cylindrical surface 54 of the shaft 20.

The spring 80 can be slid over the outer cylindrical surface 62 of theshaft 20 and engage the flat annular surface 61 of the shaft 20. Thesleeve 82 can also be slid over the outer cylindrical surface 62 tocapture the spring 80 between the inner cylindrical surface 86 of thesleeve 82 and the outer cylindrical surface 62 of the shaft 20. The ballbearings 94 can be inserted between the inner tapered surface 88 of thesleeve 82 and the holes 64 in the second diameter portion 50 of theshaft 20. The sleeve 82 can be positioned such that the holes 90 arealigned with the slots 66 in the second diameter portion 50 of the shaft20. The pins 92 can be inserted through the holes 90 of the sleeve 82and into the corresponding slots 66 in the second diameter portion 50 ofthe shaft 20.

The guide rod 14 can be machined from metal and can include a proximalend 96, a distal end 98, and various surfaces between the proximal end96 and the distal end 98. An outer hex surface 100 can be adjacent tothe proximal end 96 and an outer tapered surface 102 can extend from theouter hex surface 100 toward the distal end 98. A first outercylindrical surface 104 can be adjacent to the outer tapered surface 102and extend toward the distal end 98.

A second outer cylindrical surface 106 can be adjacent to the firstouter cylindrical surface 104 and extend toward the distal end 98. Thesecond outer cylindrical surface 106 can include an annular groove 108and an annular groove 110. The groove 108 and the groove 110 can extendaround the circumference of the second outer cylindrical surface 106.

An inconstant diameter outer surface 112 can extend from the secondouter cylindrical surface 106 toward the distal end 98. A flat annularsurface or rim 114 can abut the inconstant diameter outer surface 112and face the proximal end 96. A flat annular surface or rim 116 can beopposite from the flat annular surface 114 and face the distal end 98. Agroove 118 can be included at the interface between the flat annularsurface 116 and an outer threaded surface 120. An outer tapered orbeveled surface 122 can extend from the outer threaded surface 120 tothe distal end 98 of the guide rod 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 6A, a reaming system 123 is illustratedaccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.The reaming system 123 can include the guide rod 14 and a proximalreamer 124. The guide rod 14 can be threadingly attached to a distalstem 126 prior to assembly of the reaming system 123, as will bedescribed in more detail below.

The proximal reamer 124 can include a proximal end 128 and a distal end130. The proximal reamer 124 can further include a first cylindricaldrive portion 131 adjacent to the proximal end 128 and having an outertri-shank surface 132. A second cylindrical portion 133 of the proximalreamer 124 can extend from the first cylindrical drive portion 131toward the distal end 130 and include a hole 134 extending transverselythrough the second cylindrical portion 133. A third cylindrical portion135 of the proximal reamer 124 can extend from the second cylindricalportion 133 toward the distal end 130 and include a hole 136 extendingtransversely through the third cylindrical portion 135. Grooves 137having numbered indicia 138 can extend around the circumference of thethird cylindrical portion 135. An outer tapered portion 139 of theproximal reamer 124 can extend from the third cylindrical portion 135 tothe distal end 130 and include cutting flutes 140 extending along thelongitudinal axis x.

The proximal reamer 124 can be canulated and include various interiorsurfaces between the proximal end 128 and the distal end 130. A firstinner cylindrical surface 141 can extend from the proximal end 128toward a first inner tapered surface 142. The first inner taperedsurface 142 can extend from the first inner cylindrical surface 141 to asecond inner cylindrical surface 143. A second inner cylindrical surface143 can extend from the inner tapered surface 142 to a second innertapered surface 144. The second inner tapered surface 144 can extendfrom the second inner cylindrical surface 143 to a third innercylindrical surface 145.

A flat annular surface or rim 146 and a flat elliptical surface 147 canbe included at the interface between the third inner cylindrical surface145 and a fourth inner cylindrical surface 148. The flat ellipticalsurface 147 can extend radially from the third inner cylindrical surface145 to an inner elliptical wall 149. The flat annular surface 146 canextend radially from the inner elliptical wall 149 to the fourth innercylindrical surface 148. The fourth inner cylindrical surface 148 canextend axially from the flat annular surface 146 to the distal end 130.A distal reamer can be inserted into the proximal reamer 124 to ream adistal portion of a femur. The distal reamer can be axially received androtationally fixed by the inner elliptical wall 149 and can abut theflat elliptical surface 147.

With continued reference to FIG. 6 and additional reference to FIGS. 7and 8, the distal stem 126 can include a proximal end 150 and a distalend 152. A hole 154 can extend partially into the distal stem 126 alongthe longitudinal axis x. The hole 154 can define an inner cylindricalsurface 156. The distal stem 126 can further include outer taperedsurfaces 158, 160. The outer tapered surface 158 can taper outwards asit extends from the proximal end 150 toward the distal end 152. Theouter tapered surface 160 can taper inwards as it extends from the outertapered surface 158 to the distal end 152. The outer tapered surface 160can include elliptical grooves 161 extending along the longitudinal axisx and splines 162 between the elliptical grooves 161.

A method of implanting the distal stem 126 using the insertion system 10will now be described. The distal end 98 of the guide rod 14 can beattached to the proximal end 150 of the distal stem 126. The outerthreaded surface 120 adjacent to the distal end 98 of the guide rod 14can be threaded into the inner cylindrical surface 156 of the distalstem 126. The inner cylindrical surface 156 can include threads thatengage the outer threaded surface 120. The outer threaded surface 120 ofthe guide rod 14 can be threaded into the inner cylindrical surface 156of the distal stem 126 until the flat annular surface 116 of the guiderod 14 abuts the proximal end 150 of the distal stem 126. The distal end98 of the guide rod 14 can be attached to the proximal end 150 of thedistal stem 126 using methods other than the threaded fit describedabove, such as using an interference fit and/or a fastener.

The inserter assembly 12 can be placed over the guide rod 14 to threadthe outer threaded surface 120 of the guide rod 14 into the innercylindrical surface 156 of the distal stem 126. When the inserterassembly 12 is placed over the guide rod 14, the inner hex surface 35 ofthe impaction member 16 can act against the outer hex surface 100 of theguide rod 14 to rotate the outer threaded surface 120 of the guide rod14 relative to the inner cylindrical surface 156 of the distal stem 126.Alternatively, other driver mechanisms that include an inner hex surfacecan be used to thread the guide rod 14 into the distal stem 126.Additionally, the guide rod 14 can be rotated by hand to thread theguide rod 14 into the distal stem 126.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide rod 14 can be removablycoupled to the shaft 20 with the distal stem 126 attached to the guiderod 14. The guide rod 14 can be inserted into the hole 69 of the shaft20 until the flat annular surface 114 of the guide rod abuts the flatannular surface 71 of the shaft 20. The guide rod 14 can be rotated asthe guide rod 14 is inserted into the hole 69 of the shaft 20 such thatthe outer hex surface 100 of the guide rod 14 can be inserted within theinner hex surface 35 in the cylindrical portion 28 of the impactionmember 16.

The inner hex surface 35 of the impaction member 16 envelops or receivesthe outer hex surface 100 of the guide rod 14 to rotationally fix theguide rod 14 within the inserter assembly 12. The guide rod 14 can berotationally fixed within the inserter assembly 12 using methods otherthan the hex drive fit described above, such as using an interferencefit and/or a fastener. Rotationally fixing the guide rod 14 within theinserter assembly 12 provides version control to rotationally positionthe distal stem 126 during the implant. In addition, when the couplingmechanism 21 is in an engaged position as shown, the inner taperedsurface 88 of the sleeve 82 acts against the ball bearings 94 to engagethe ball bearings 94 with the groove 108 in the guide rod 14, andthereby axially fixing the guide rod 14 relative to the inserterassembly 12 in a quick release manner. The spring 80 acts against theflat annular surface 61 of the shaft 20 and flat annular surface 87 ofthe sleeve 82 to bias the sleeve 82 toward the distal end 46 of theshaft 20, and thereby maintain the coupling mechanism 21 in the axiallyengaged position.

Referring again to FIG. 7 with the guide rod 14 attached to the distalstem 126 and the guide rod 14 rotationally and axially fixed to theinserter assembly 12, the inserter assembly 12 can be used to positionthe distal stem 126 in an IM canal 164 of a femur 166. A hammer or otherblunt instrument can be used to impact the hemispherical surface 30 onthe rounded impaction portion 26 of the impaction member 16 to fit thedistal stem 126 within the IM canal 164. The fit between the distal stem126 and the IM canal 164 can be a snug fit or an interference fit. Thesplines 162 can grip the inner surface of the IM canal 164 to fix thedistal stem 126 within the femur 166. With the guide rod 14 attached tothe distal stem 126 and the distal stem 126 fixed within the femur 166,the guide rod 14 can be uncoupled from the shaft 20, thereby leaving theguide rod 14 and the distal stem 126 fixed within the IM canal 164 ofthe femur 166.

In some instances, the distal stem 126 can be misaligned with the IMcanal 164 when the rounded impaction portion 26 of the impaction member16 is impacted to implant the distal stem 126 within the IM canal 164.In these instances, a hammer or other blunt instrument can be used toimpact the flat elliptical surface 76 on the striker plate 72 andthereby dislodge the distal stem 126 from the IM canal 164. Theinsertion system 10 can then be used again to implant the distal stem126 within the IM canal 164.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the coupling mechanism 21 can bemanipulated to uncouple the guide rod 14 from the shaft 20. The sleeve82 can be axially retracted toward the proximal end 44 of the shaft 20such that the inner tapered surface 88 of the sleeve 82 progressivelydisengages the ball bearings 94 from the groove 108 and the guide rod14. The spring 80 is compressed as the sleeve 82 is axially retractedtowards the proximal end 44 of the shaft 20. In addition, the pins 92 inthe holes 90 of the sleeve 82 translate within the slots 66 of the shaft20. The inner tapered surface 88 of the sleeve 82 is sized such that theball bearings 94 can move transversely away from the guide rod 14 whenthe sleeve 82 is axially retracted, but the ball bearings 94 remaincaptured between the inner tapered surface 88 of the sleeve 82 and theholes 64 in the outer cylindrical surface 62 of the shaft 20.

In the method of implanting a distal stem discussed above, the distalstem 126 is implanted in the IM canal 164 with the guide rod 14 attachedto the distal stem 126. In conventional methods, a distal stem is firstimplanted in the IM canal of a femur, and then a guide rod issubsequently attached to the distal stem. Thus, the method of implantinga distal stem discussed in the present disclosure eliminates the step ofattaching the guide rod to the distal stem after the distal stem isimplanted in the IM canal. Eliminating this step saves time and improvesconvenience in a modular femoral revision procedure. Moreover, it may bedifficult to attach the guide rod 14 after the distal stem 126 isimplanted into the IM canal 164 of the femur 166, since the proximal end150 of the distal stem 126 is within the bone.

Referring again to FIG. 8, a method of reaming an IM canal of a femurusing the reaming system 123 will now be discussed. As discussed above,the guide rod 14 can be uncoupled from the inserter assembly 12, therebyleaving the guide rod 14 and the distal stem 126 fixed within the IMcanal 164 of the femur 166. The proximal reamer 124 can then be placedover the guide rod 14 and the distal stem 126 to ream the IM canal 164.

Placing the proximal reamer 124 over the guide rod 14 ensures that theproximal reamer 124 is in proper orientation such that the resultantreamed opening matches a proximal body to be fit over the distal stem126. The proximal reamer 124 can be slid over the guide rod 14 and thedistal stem 126 until the flat annular surface 146 of the proximalreamer 124 abuts the flat annular surface 114 of the guide rod 14. Thegrooves 137 and numbered indicia 138 may be used to gage the depth atwhich the proximal reamer 124 is inserted into the IM canal 164. Thisdepth may be used to size the proximal body to be fit over the distalstem 126.

When the flat annular surface 146 of the proximal reamer 124 abuts theflat annular surface 114 of the guide rod 14, the groove 110 in thesecond outer cylindrical surface 106 of the guide rod 14 is visiblethrough the hole 136 and the proximal reamer 124. This provides avisible check to ensure that the flat annular surface 146 of theproximal reamer 124 is abutting the flat annular surface 114 of theguide rod. Then, the proximal reamer 124 can be withdrawn from the IMcanal 164 and the guide rod 14 can be unthreaded from the distal stem126. In turn, the distal stem 126 is left fixed within the IM canal 164and the IM canal 164 includes a reamed opening matching the geometry ofthe proximal body that fits over the distal stem 126.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a proximal femoral body 168 can be placed overthe distal stem 126 as part of a modular femoral revision procedure. Theproximal femoral body 168 can include a bore 170 that extends axiallyfrom a proximal end 172. The proximal femoral body 168 can also includea neck portion 174 and a distal end 176 having an axially extending bore178. Neck portion 174 can include a distal end 180 that is receivedwithin a femoral head 182. The femoral head 182 can mate with anacetabular cup 184 that is fixed within a pelvis 186. The distal endbore 178 can be tapered to matingly receive the outer tapered surface158 of the distal stem 126. The proximal femoral body 168 can be coupledto the distal stem 126 with a Morse taper connection such that the outertapered surface 158 of the distal stem 126 is press fitted into thetapered distal bore 178 of the proximal femoral body 168. The proximalfemoral body 168 can be attached to the distal stem 126 using a fastener188 that can be slid through the bore 170 of the proximal femoral bodyand can threadingly engage the inner cylindrical surface 156 of thedistal stem 126.

Moreover, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merelyexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. One skilled in the artwill readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanyingdrawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variationscan be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure as defined in the following claims. For instance, thesequence of the blocks of the method described herein can be changedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of implanting a modular prostheticcomponent, comprising: attaching a guide rod to the prostheticcomponent; removably coupling the guide rod to a shaft extending from ahandle; positioning the prosthetic component in an anatomical feature;impacting an impaction portion of the handle; and uncoupling the guiderod from the shaft to remove the shaft, leaving the guide rod attachedto the prosthetic component; wherein removably coupling the guide rod toa shaft includes operating a coupling mechanism that includes a sleevethat captures at least one ball bearing in at least one hole extendingtransversely through the shaft, at least one pin that extends through atleast one slot in the shaft to axially fix the sleeve to the shaftwithin the at least one slot, and a biasing member that axially biasesthe sleeve relative to the shaft.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising attaching the guide rod to the prosthetic component bythreading the guide rod into the prosthetic component.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising rotationally fixing the guide rod to thehandle.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising threading the guiderod into the prosthetic component using the handle.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising impacting the impaction portion of thehandle until the prosthetic component is driven to a desired depth inthe anatomical feature.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprisingusing numbered indicia on the shaft to determine when the prostheticcomponent is driven to the desired depth.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising impacting a striker plate that is fixed to the shaftto remove the prosthetic component from the anatomical feature when theprosthetic component is misaligned with respect to the anatomicalfeature.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the couplingmechanism includes using a quick connect mechanism.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein removably coupling the guide rod to the shaft includes:axially retracting a sleeve of the quick connect mechanism, placing theshaft over the guide rod to insert the guide rod into a hole in theshaft, and releasing the sleeve.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising uncoupling the guide rod from the shaft by axially retractingthe sleeve and pulling the shaft from the guide rod to remove the guiderod from the hole in the shaft.
 11. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising positioning a reamer over the guide rod to create a reamedopening in the anatomical feature.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising removing the reamer from the reamed opening and placing aproximal body over the prosthetic component, wherein the prostheticcomponent is a distal stem.
 13. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising sliding the reamer over the guide rod until a flat annularsurface on the reamer abuts a flat annular surface on the guide rod. 14.The method of claim 13, further comprising verifying that an indicia onthe guide rod is visible through a hole in the reamer to ensure that theflat annular surface on the reamer is abutting the flat annular surfaceon the guide rod.
 15. A method of implanting a modular prostheticcomponent, comprising: axially retracting a spring-loaded sleeve of aninserter assembly; inserting a guide rod into a hollow shaft of theinserter assembly; releasing the spring-loaded sleeve to couple theguide rod to the shaft; rotating a handle fixed to the hollow shaft tothread the guide rod into a distal stem; positioning the distal stem inan intramedullary canal of a femur; impacting an impaction portion ofthe handle; axially retracting the spring-loaded sleeve; and pulling thehandle to remove the inserter assembly from the guide rod, leaving theguide rod attached to the distal stem; wherein releasing thespring-loaded sleeve to couple the guide rod to the shaft includesoperating a coupling mechanism wherein the spring-loaded sleeve capturesat least one ball bearing in at least one hole extending transverselythrough the shaft, at least one pin that extends through at least oneslot in the shaft to axially fix the sleeve to the shaft within the atleast one slot, and a biasing member that axially biases the sleeverelative to the shaft.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprisingimpacting the distal stem to a selected depth in the intramedullarycanal using numbered indicia on the shaft.
 17. The method of claim 15,further comprising positioning a reamer over the guide rod to create areamed opening in the femur.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising removing the reamer from the reamed opening, unthreading theguide rod from the distal stem, and connecting a proximal body to thedistal stem.
 19. A method of implanting a modular prosthetic component,comprising: inserting a guide rod into a bore of a hollow shaft of aninserter assembly while holding a quick connect mechanism of theinserter assembly in a first position; moving the quick connectmechanism of the inserter assembly to a second position to at leastaxially fix and connect the guide rod within the bore of the hollowshaft; rotating a handle fixed to the hollow shaft to threadably engagethe guide rod to a distal stem; impacting an impaction portion of thehandle to position the distal stem into an intramedullary canal of afemur; moving the quick connect mechanism of the inserter assembly tothe first position a second time to at least axially disengage the guiderod from the inserter assembly; while holding the quick connectmechanism of the inserter assembly in the first position at the secondtime, pulling the handle to remove the inserter assembly from the guiderod and leaving the guide rod attached to the distal stem; positioning areamer over the guide rod and creating a reamed opening in the femur byguiding the reamer with the guide rod to create the reamed opening in aproximal portion of the femur for placement of a proximal body; removingthe reamer from the reamed opening; unthreading the guide rod from thedistal stem; and connecting the proximal body to the distal stem,wherein the quick connect mechanism includes a sleeve that captures atleast one ball bearing in at least one hole extending transverselythrough the shaft, at least one pin that extends through at least oneslot in the shaft to axially fix the sleeve to the shaft within the atleast one slot, and a biasing member that axially biases the sleeverelative to the shaft.